Sailing the Nile between Luxor and Aswan is one of the highlights of any trip to Egypt. Along the way you’ll pass sandstone cliffs, palm-lined riverbanks and villages, and stop at some of the best-preserved ancient temples in the country.
The first decision is what kind of boat to travel on. Most visitors take a classic Nile cruise ship, but more and more are choosing a dahabiya, a traditional sailing boat that takes a slower and much quieter route down the river.
In this guide, we cover what each option actually is, how they differ, which historical sites you’ll visit on each, and our verdict on which one is right for your trip.
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What is a Nile Cruise?
A Nile cruise is a multi-deck river ship that sails between Luxor and Aswan. There are well over 100 of them operating on this stretch of the river, and most carry between 100 and 150 passengers.
The standard trip is 3 – 4 nights between the two cities, in either direction, but longer trips of 10 days or more are also available. Meals and guided excursions are usually included, with stops at many of the top sites in and between the two cities, including the Valley of the Kings and Karnak Temple in Luxor, the temples of Edfu and Kom Ombo, and Philae, and more.
Most ships have a sundeck, a small pool, a restaurant and a bar, and many put on evening entertainment like a galabeya party, where guests dress up in traditional Egyptian robes for dinner and music.
Standards vary a lot, from basic budget ships to luxury suite-only vessels. Nearly all of them are labelled “5-star”, so focus too much on the self-prescribed star rating.
What is a dahabiya?
A dahabiya is a traditional flat-bottomed sailing boat with two large sails. The name comes from the Arabic word for gold, after the gilded boats used by Egypt’s rulers. In the 19th century they were the standard way for wealthy European travellers and early Egyptologists to explore the Nile, often for months at a time.
Today’s dahabiyas are modern rebuilds of those boats, usually with between 6 and 12 cabins. Most sail between Esna (about 60km south of Luxor) and Aswan over 4 to 5 nights. They rely on the wind, with a tug boat stepping in when there isn’t any.
Here you can spend your days on deck watching the riverbanks go by, stop at small islands and villages, and visit sites the big ships can’t reach. Meals and guided excursions are generally all included, but the boats themselves are much simpler than the Cruise boats, so you won’t find a pool, bar or evening entertainment on board.
Key Differences
Nile Cruise | Dahabiya | |
Passengers | Around 100–150 | Around 10–20 |
Trip length | 3–4 nights | 4–5 nights |
Route | Luxor to Aswan | Usually Esna to Aswan |
Powered by | Engine | Sail, with tug support |
Facilities | Pool, bar, restaurant, entertainment | Sundeck, lounge, shared dining |
Price range | Budget to luxury | Mid-range to luxury |
The biggest difference is pace. A cruise ship covers the route quickly and spends a lot of time moored, while a dahabiya spends more time on the water and stops wherever suits the day.
The atmosphere is very different too, with a cruise ship feeling like a floating hotel, with set meal times and large groups heading off to each site together, while the dahabiya feels more like a private boat trip with a small group, with the itinerary shifting around the weather and the river.
Which sites you’ll visit
The sites you visit depend on whether you choose a Nile cruise or a dahabiya, as well as the exact route and itinerary.
Nile cruises typically stop at all the major historical sites in and between Luxor and Aswan, including the Valley of the Kings, the temples of Karnak and Luxor, Edfu Temple, Kom Ombo Temple and Philae Temple. Dahabiyas can stop at the same sites if they follow the full Luxor to Aswan route, but most only sail between Esna and Aswan, which can include Edfu and Kom Ombo along the way, and often a visit to Philae Temple when in Aswan.
While most dahabiyas make miss out on most sites further north than Esna, they make up for it by being small enough to moor almost anywhere, and can stop at lesser-known sites that cruise ships usually skip, such as the Temple of Khnum at Esna, El Kab and Gebel el-Silsila.
Verdict: Which should you book?
If you’re looking to make the most of your time and see as many of Egypt’s major historical sites as possible, choose a Nile cruise. Most cruise ships follow the full route from Luxor to Aswan, fitting in a large number of incredible sites in only 3 to 4 days. A Nile cruise is also the better choice if you’re on a budget. There’s a much wider range of prices, starting well below the cheapest dahabiyas, and even budget ships come with more on-board facilities like a pool, bar and evening entertainment.
If you’d rather take a slower journey and experience the Nile the way travellers did in the 19th century, choose a dahabiya. Their amenities may not compare to a cruise ship, but they instead offer a more personal and memorable way to sail the Nile.
How to book a dahabiya or Nile cruise?
Both Nile cruises and dahabiyas can be booked online through the following platforms:
- Viator (top choice)
- GetYourGuide
- Booking.com
If visiting during peak season (December to February), be sure to book far in advance to avoid missing out.
Further reading on Egypt
Below are our travel guides on the some of the amazing historical sites often featured on a Nile cruise or dahabiya:
⬤ For more on the historical sites in Luxor, check out: Top 10 Historical sites in Luxor.
⬤ For more on Egypt’s famed double temple, check out: Complete guide to Kom Ombo Templle.
⬤ For more on the largest temple from ancient Egypt, check out: Complete Guide to Karnak Temple.
⬤ For more on Aswan’s most popular ancient temple, check out: Complete Guide to Philae Temple.
⬤ For more on one of Egypt’s best preserved temples, check out: Complete Guide to Edfu Temple.
⬤ For more travel guides, visit our Egypt page.
